My princess - Alessia Russo

55. Canada friendly

Game time. We're all sitting in the locker room as Sarina goes over the last few things. I'm so pumped and Alessia can tell she gives me her hand so I can relax a bit. I just mess with her fingers while Sarina talks. She explains a few tactics we've been working on and a few other things. After Sarina finishes up Leah stands up to give her speech. She talks and we all listen but then she says "I know my speeches are usually longer but I was thinking Izzi could give a speech?"

"Ooh yes!" Beth says. The girls cheer me on.

"Are you sure?" I ask Leah.

"Come on you have the best speeches." She says and pulls me up.

"Oh. Well ok thanks Leah. Okay girls I know this is only my Second game back but let's just go out there and kick some ass. Let's work together and get the ball in the back of the net. If we get pushed, we push back twice as hard. Well maybe not so hard. But you get it. Leave your mark on the field. Show the world who you are. All the blood, sweat and tears leave their mark on the field. Show the world that you are a force to be reckoned with because all of you are, don't let the other team forget the number you wear on that jersey. Don't go in the game thinking you're the best you gotta show all those fuckers your are. I don't give a damn if this is a friendly or not. Now come let's fucking go!" I say yelling at some points throughout.

"Fuck yeah!" Lucy yells and the girls all say something close to it.

"Let's go girls!" Georgia yells.

"Damn that was good!" Mary says and pats my back.

"Thanks now let's go fuck some shit up." I say. The girls laugh and we walk out to line up.

I'm standing behind Alessia in the tunnel, as we wait for Canada to come. While in the tunnel I just think of how lucky I am to able to play for my country again and to be able to do it with Alessia and my best friends is just so special. Canada comes in the tunnel and lines up.

I lean down and whisper "I love you princess ." And then I kiss her on the cheek. Alessia says "I love you" right before Leah leads us out.

After the national anthems I look towards the crowd as I run to position and see a whole section of England fans. Damn they all came over here. They do know we're in Canada right?

I look towards them and yell "COME ON ENGLAND!" I lift my hands pumping them trying to get them loud. Which works as they all start yelling. I laugh and look at Alessia who has a big smile on her face. I wink at her and soon we're off.

It was a quick start, Canada taking control of the ball straight away. However, Lucy puts a stop to there run stealing the ball out from underneath the Canada's player's foot.

Lucy passes it to Georgia who shoots it to keira who does her thing and weaves in between players, creeping closer towards the goal. With players blocking her keira passes it off to me from the left side of the field.

As the ball comes to me I look ahead of the pitch, I know the exactly what I wanna do. It wasn't going to be an easy. But as the ball gets to me I quickly rotate my body into position, my left foot makes contact with the ball, rocketing towards the goal. It's like the whole game was in slow-motion as I waited and waited in anticipation. My eyes follow the ball as it flies past the Goalie's fingertips and landing in the back of the net.

"YESS!" I yell and run to the corner and pump my hands making the England fans go crazy.

My teammates rush up behind me and smash into my body.

"What a goal!" Lucy yells. The girls all say something and give me a high five. Before the whistle blows Alessia gives me a big hug and whispers an "I love you" to which I respond "I love you too babe let's go kick some ass" Alessia smiles and we get back into position.

*time skip*

The first half we kept possession but just never came upon another chance at a goal leaving us 1-0 at half time. After Sarina runs us through some tactics. We all run back out and we run to our positions.

The whistle blows and we're quick to get the ball but just as quick as we get it a Canada players makes a slide tackle on Georgia and gains possession.

Canada are quick on the attack and end up finding the goal for the equalizer.

"ITS OKAY GIRLS KEEP YOUR HEAD UP." Leah shouts. I take a moment and think. I've watched hours of film. I know how this Canada team works...

"Girls get over here!" I say and the girls run over while Mary gets the ball from the net. I explain to them what I've figured out and how we can get the ball down the field. The girls all agree that they've also seen them doing this and that we can act upon it. So when the whistle blows we use there mistakes to our advantage.

Jessie Fleming has the ball but I time my tackle perfectly and end up getting the ball. I quickly pass it off to Keira. But before I get going towards the goal I quickly help Jessie Fleming up.

"Sorry mate." I say. Before she can say anything I run down the pitch and try to create an opportunity but nothings comes of anything until Georgia gets a free kick. The girls decide that I should be the one to take it.

"Why couldn't it just have gone a little further to the right." I mutter out under my breath as I place the ball down.

"YOU READY?" I call out. The girls nod. Before anything happens I look at Lucy and make a face telling her where to go. I see her give me a little nod. Just like old times...

The whistle blows, and I raise my hand before kicking and getting a nice little curve on it. It lands right where I want and Lucy is right there to head it in.

"YESS LUCY!!" I yell as I run to her.

"Incredible ball!" Lucy says as she hugs me.

"All you Luce. Fucking amazing!" I say and let go. The girls celebrate with us as well all patting our heads and yelling something of a celebration.